Emerging Courageous Online Magazine - Stories
Living Life to the Fullest by Elaine England
About 14 months ago, I was on the way to my doctor's office for a routine check
up. On the way there, my husband and I had been talking about if something
should ever happen to either of us, what would the other do. We agreed
that neither of us wanted to be put on life support as we feel very strongly
that our physical bodies are just a vessel thru which we do what we're asked to
do by our Lord. We went to the doctor's appointment and he wanted me to have
some tests run right away. We went to the hospital on our way home so that
the tests could be done.
Once we got there, I don't remember a whole lot of what happened. I do remember hearing a doctor say "Her heart rate can't be 240! Check everything! If we can't get it down, she'll die".
Well, die I did, three different times before I could be moved to intensive care. I was in the ICU for 4 days and I honestly don't recall much of my time there. I remember being asked if I wanted to be put on a ventilator and I refused repeatedly. I was moved to a room after the 4 days, spent 2 more days in the hospital, and was discharged on Christmas Eve.
Ever since then, I've realized that we are all mortal and that our time to
pass into a better world is a certainty. What we do with the time we're
given is up to us. I remember seeing something about when you're before
our Lord, what will He say about the fancy car you drove? What would He
say about the people who didn't have transportation that you drove around
to help out?
The experience made a definite impression on me. I wake up each morning
giving thanks for another day and then, I start thinking about what I can do
that day to make my mark in life. Can I share a smile? Can I cheer
someone up? I try to live each day to the fullest, trying to leave
something positive with someone that day and every day. We're given today.
It's a gift.
Do we really know we'll have a tomorrow? Don't take
anything for granted. Appreciate even the smallest of things that you see,
a flower, an insect. Know that these too have a purpose in life.
Live today like there may not be a tomorrow and love every minute of every day!
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